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HEALTH CARE

Brown, JWU discuss health care partnership

JOHNSON & WALES' CENTER FOR PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT STUDIES will stand just 1,000 feet from Brown University's Warren Alpert Medical School. The two universities have signed a memorandum of understanding to explore potential collaborations between the programs.

PROVIDENCE – Brown University and Johnson & Wales University have signed a memorandum of understanding to explore potential collaborations between Brown’s Warren Alpert Medical School and the new physician assistant program at Johnson & Wales, the schools announced Wednesday.

“The new model of health care is patient-focused, IT-driven and team-based,” Dr. Edward Wing, dean of medicine and biological science at Brown, said in prepared remarks. “Alpert Medical School is fortunate to partner with JWU to explore interdisciplinary training opportunities with its physician assistant program.

“This new collaboration makes good sense as we work toward expanding the entire health care workforce in Rhode Island and beyond,” added Wing.

The agreement, which was signed earlier this month, outlines areas for potential cooperation between the programs, including: sharing training facilities, jointing arranging lectures, pursuing educational grants and engaging in cost-sharing.

Johnson & Wales is currently renovating an 18,000-square-foot facility at 157 Clifford St. in Providence’ Knowledge District that will house its new PA program. The facility is roughly 1,000 feet from Brown’s medical education building at 222 Richmond St.

“We see this as a great opportunity for the Center for Physician Assistant Studies at Johnson & Wales to work closely with Brown’s Alpert Medical School. Our two institutions have strong mutual interests and compatibilities in the area of primary care education that should well serve the community, our students, and our great universities,” Jeffrey Senese, JWU vice president of academic affairs, said in prepared remarks, “We are thrilled to have the honor of working with them and with the health care community in Rhode Island and beyond.”

Adding to the sentiments of Senese and Wing, Dr. George Bottomley, director of JWU’S PA center said: “The collaborative training of physicians, physician assistants and other members of the interprofessional health care team is an evolving national educational initiative.”

“We look forward to our partnership with the Alpert Medical School and the development of a patient-centered, humanistic learning model that will serve our students and their future patients,” added Bottomley.

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